Health Needs Assessment Protocol for Migrant Female Workers in the Ready-Made Garments Industry of Bangladesh

Migrant female workers in Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry experience a disproportionate burden of occupational, reproductive, mental, and infectious health problems, compounded by limited access to quality healthcare services. This study proposes a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) protocol to systematically identify priority health needs, assess existing healthcare services, and develop evidence-informed interventions to improve worker health and well-being. The protocol employs the five-step Cavanagh and Chadwick Health Needs Assessment model and adopts a mixed-methods approach, incorporating surveys, questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and health data analysis. Public participation and stakeholder engagement are integrated throughout the assessment to ensure context-specific and feasible recommendations. The protocol is designed to identify healthcare gaps, prioritize health concerns, and inform sustainable workplace health strategies. This framework provides a structured, evidence-based approach for strengthening occupational health services and supporting policy development for migrant female garment workers in Bangladesh. Medicine Today 2026, Vol.38 (2): 180-184